You’ve just walked out of the orthodontist’s clinic with braces or Invisalign aligners – a journey towards achieving the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Whether you are team braces or team Invisalign aligners, once it’s on, you have to commit yourself for a good orthodontic hygiene routine throughout the journey. Poor braces maintenance not just increases the treatment duration but also leads to bad breath, stained teeth, and can permanently damage the enamel.
The success rate of any orthodontic treatment depends on how you are taking care of Invisalign aligners or braces.
If you are on an orthodontic treatment journey and are confused about “how to take care of braces or Invisalign aligners”, here is a comprehensive guide on braces maintenance and Invisalign cleaning.
Master brushing and flossing like a pro
Adhering to oral hygiene with braces and aligners is a non-negotiable thing in the journey. Those small gaps behind wires and inside the Invisalign tray are the favourite hiding spots for food debris. If you fail to take extra care, the bacteria build up turns your teeth yellow and causes bad breath and even leads to tooth decay.
To avoid such counterproductive effects, follow the braces cleaning and Invisalign care tips recommended by the orthodontist diligently.
For braces users, brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristle brush or interproximal brushes that are specially designed for braces teeth. Don’t just clean, but Monica clean your teeth by reaching above and below the braces. Use your convenient flossing tool, thread or water flosser, to get between teeth and around wires.
Beware of food restrictions
I know how hard it is to say no to some of your favourite foods – be it caramel popcorn, hard candy or gum. But they are a serious threat to braces. These hard foods can pull off the brackets and snag or dislodge the wires. People with Invisalign aligners have the advantage of enjoying some of these foods, but by strictly removing the aligners before consuming the food.
So the next time, when you are tempted by a crunchy taffy and try to overlook this essential braces care tip recommended by your orthodontist, think twice.
Clean the aligners religiously and consistently
When I say orthodontic hygiene, it is not just cleaning your teeth; cleaning your aligner tray is also a part of the Invisalign care tips. Keep your aligner fresh by rinsing it every time you remove or when putting it back. Maintain a dedicated brush, particularly for your aligner and clean it gently with lukewarm water every day. Invest in a good cleansing solution, cleaning crystal or cleaning tablet upon your orthodontist’s recommendation and soak your aligner in it for at least 30 minutes to keep it in pristine condition.
Avoid using hot water, harsh toothpaste or mouthwash that contains acid, as it can warp the plastic.
Don’t miss your orthodontist appointment
Consider attending every orthodontist appointment of yours as a priority task. They are not just a regular appointment, but are crucial milestones, taking you one step closer to your dream smile.
Your orthodontist assesses your progress and makes essential adjustments by tightening the wire, replacing the elastic, or switching to a new aligner tray. When you miss an appointment, you are making your braces or aligners sit idle without making any headway.
Wear time = treatment success
When you ask what’s the best Invisalign care tips, they say, wear your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours a day. Wearing your aligners even through initial discomfort is the major key to the steady progression of the treatment.
Stick to your wear schedule and remove the aligners only when you are eating or cleaning them. Also, when the aligners are not in use, store them in their designated container to avoid any kind of contamination.
Prepare yourself for any kind of emergency
This is one of the underrated braces care tips. There are times you might feel uncomfortable may be during the initial days or days after the braces’ adjustment. Brackets can rub against the inside of your cheeks. Poking wire or loose brackets can cause irritation and pain. To tackle such a situation, ask your orthodontist to prescribe an orthodontic wax and keep it handy. When dealing with an unexpected emergency, apply the wax on the rough spot to bring instant relief.
Say no to sugary food and aerated drinks
Taking care of Invisalign aligners or braces comes with sacrificing sugary or aerated food/drinks. Imagine getting your braces off only to witness uneven white cast where the braces used to be. That’s what sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks can potentially do to your braces teeth.
Keep yourself hydrated
You might’ve googled “how to care for braces” and prepared yourself a guide on that. But I’m sure this key tip has never made it to the list.
When you have braces or aligners, your mouth needs constant moisture replenishment. With proper hydration, you can keep your saliva production at an optimal level, thus neutralising any harmful acid produced by bacterial buildup.
Having adequate water also helps in flushing out food particles trapped around your braces or under your aligners.
Avoid nail biting or pen chewing
Taking care of your braces or Invisalign aligners includes things beyond oral hygiene. What seems like negligible things, such as nail biting, pen chewing or opening a bottle cap with your mouth, can wreak havoc on your braces/Invisalign treatment. The unnecessary pressure you put onto your braces by doing such things can break brackets, bend wires, or crack Invisalign aligners. Not just that, this unintended pressure disturbs the precise teeth movement that the braces/aligners are supposed to do.
Stay patient and positive
When you embark on the braces/aligners journey, there is no shortcut. The journey is tough, uncomfortable and sometimes painful. But destiny is worth all these. That confident and healthy smile you always dreamed of.
Taking care of invisalign aligners or braces may seem overwhelming in the beginning. But consistency creates habit. By proper braces maintenance and following the orthodontist’s advice with discipline, you’ll be flashing that perfect smile in no time.
Dr. Nithya S (Author)
Orthodontist and Dentofacial Orthopaedician